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New York Jets’ Matt Simms Tries His Hand at Victor Cruz Salsa; Referee not Impressed: Video

August 24th, 2014 at 7:00 AM By Dan Benton

Shortly after New York Jets quarterback Matt Simms — son of former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms — connected with wide receiver Greg Salas for a touchdown on Friday night, he turned to the bench and unleashed his version of Victor Cruz's salsa dance. The referee was not impressed.

Simms said after the game that his attempt at a salsa was pre-planned along with Geno Smith and Michael Vick, but stressed that it was not meant as a taunt or insult to Victor Cruz. On the contrary, it was more along the lines of a homage to his offseason workout partner and friend.

"I was just having some fun, nothing personal. I actually worked out with Victor in the offseason this year. I know him personally,” Simms told Yahoo! Sports. “I didn't take a jab at him or anything like that. I was just having some fun with something that everyone knows in the stadium.”

Asked about it after the game, Cruz took no offense to the salsa either. As Simms had alluded to, Cruz considers the duo friends and didn't take exceptions to Simms' poor attempt at his salsa.

"That’s my guy. Me and him, we train a little bit in the offseason together. He throws me a couple passes here and there when I need a quarterback over there with my trainer. He’s good. He’s a good dude," Cruz said."

Meanwhile, back on the field, referees were unable to keep their composure and uncharacteristically reacted to the celebration … one by hanging his head.

“The ref just looked at me and started shaking his head, he was like 'C'mon man, really?' So, I couldn't help it, was like 'Sorry' and kept walking by,” Simms said.

No harm, no foul. It was all in good fun and provided a quick laugh for all involved.

Ok. So I finally watched the game knowing full well what I was about to see. I actually thought it was the most hopeful performance of the preseason by the offense. My view may be skewed a bit because DirecTV cut 2 of the first half drives out of the re-broadcast which I am sure spared me some ugliness, but there was still a little to like. Obviously, the 11 play, 91 yard drive in a 1:48, was Eli at his best. After an entire half of futility and pressure, Eli did what he does best: put it behind him and started afresh. Finding Victor 3x on that drive really displayed what is possible when Victor is open. The decision to roll Eli out, both right and left, proved very helpful. The pace of the 2 minute drill restricted and slowed the Jets defense. I would think that the brass would look at that, look at the offensive line’s woes to date, and say: let’s help them out a bit. Let’s run that 2 minute offense sometime other than the last 2 minutes. Let’s get Eli out of the pocket where he has one designated read and the ball can either get out quickly or at least be tossed away without incident.

Aside from the 2 minute drill, I was also encouraged by the opening drive. 9 yards to Victor to open, followed by 7 and 6 yard runs by Jennings was exactly the start I was hoping for. That set up the long pass to Randal which Eli under threw just a bit. If Eli had just a tad more air on that ball the first series likely ends in a TD. The third down throw to JJ was too low and that’s on Eli. As we all have said Eli’s strength is not in the short pass and certainly not the out timing pattern.

I thought the curl back for the TD by Randal was a nice route as was the longish pass he caught midway through the half. On balance I thought Randal played pretty well although I would have liked him to have fought a little harder for that slightly under thrown long ball on the first drive. Overall, Randal’s performance was his best of the preseason and I think encouraging.

Hard to know what to make of the second half offense and the configuration and timing of certain players. Obviuosly Nassib played very well, his best performance to date by far. The touch he displayed on both the Parker and Washington TD passes was encouraging. Parker makes a stronger and stronger case for himself by the week. He just looks like a natural punt returner. He also looked pretty nifty as a receiver on several plays. With ODB on the shelf indefinitely it seems, I don’t see how Parker can’t make the team. I was a little disturbed by how late in the game Washington made his first appearance. I’m not sure if that is a reflection on his status or a comment on the last ditch efforts being afforded JJ and MM. I am hopeful it is the latter. You keep reading how Reese loves JJ and TC does not. Usually one to bash TC, I support him here if true. We’ve seen what JJ can provide and it’s not much. Depending on which of Schwartz or ODB gets the short-term IR designation, JJ may or may not be gone. As of now, assuming he is not IR’d, the WR corps is set at ODB, Victor and Reuben. After that there is Parker who I think is a shoe-in due to his PR abilities; CW who I hope makes the team but since he’s lingering with the 3′s and 4′s may not; Talley who made a couple of really nice catches late and who has been with the team a while; Harris who unfortunately will either be IR’d or waived, Harvin who got no chances Friday, and JJ and MM. MM was on the field for what looked like one series and had one ball thrown to him for an incomplete. Have to believe he’s gone. Both Corey and Talley have looked better than JJ but it’s been against the scrubs. If ODB is unable to start the season, I’m guessing JJ has to make the team despite what our lyin’ eyes are telling us. If ODB is good to go come Week 1, do the Giants have the courage to release a 4 year highs round draft pick in favor of 2 or perhaps 3 UDFA’s? Be interesting to see.

The WR digression aside, on balance I saw more life in the offense then I have seen previously and that is something to build on. Even though it will be against the Pats’ 2′s this Thursday, I’m wondering if the Giants don’t run the first offense out for at least 2 or 3 series to get more reps in.

Defensively, while we did not give up many points, it was a little disappointing to see Gino Smith move the ball on us. What little pressure we put on him he escaped rather easily, which has been a consistent theme through this preseason: we seem to get some pressure but the QB just runs away from it and turns the scramble into a play. The run defense was spotty, especially on the edges. We won’t know what we really have with this defense until we get Beason on the field and McClain over to SAM so Week 1 is going to be interesting. I saw Dirt is continuing his “cut Kiwi” campaign. I’m not as down on Kiwi as Dirt and many others, but I do agree Moore is making a strong case for himself. But overall the DE’s are becoming a concern. Kiwi, JPP and Ayers look very pedestrian. Only Moore looks like a difference maker. Given that Fewel does not seem to have any effective blitzes in his repertoire I’m not sure how we generate pressure this season if JPP doesn’t suddenly show up. Couple that with the silly new penalties for defensive holding and hands to the face, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. As I said above, until Beason gets on the field we won’t really know what kind of defense we have. That said, the way No 1 offenses have been able to move on this group is disturbing. We open against Stafford and Megatron. That is going to be a real challenge.